In order to support and advance the District Improvement Plan and Goal 8 of creating a district culture of equity and safety in our schools and classrooms, it is important to understand how we define terms as they relate to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We realize that the extent to which we have consensus on these definitions will depend on the different meanings that each word or term holds for different people. Our individual understanding of these words will vary according to emotions and assumptions we hold based on our personal experiences. However, if we can strive for a collective, shared understanding of these most common terms, our courageous conversations on equity, racism, and inclusiveness can be enhanced.